Every aspiring home barista has made a few bad cups of coffee. Whether it’s too bitter, sour, or just plain weak, the good news is that most brewing issues come from a handful of fixable mistakes. Once you understand what’s going wrong, you’re well on your way to making consistently great coffee.
Let’s explore the most common brewing mistakes beginners make and how to avoid them.
1. Using the Wrong Grind Size
One of the most frequent problems is using a grind size that doesn’t match your brewing method.
- Too fine for a French press? Expect a muddy cup.
- Too coarse for espresso? You’ll get a weak, under-extracted shot.
Fix: Learn the grind size each method requires. Use a burr grinder for consistent results and adjust as needed based on taste.
2. Not Measuring Coffee and Water
Eyeballing your coffee-to-water ratio leads to inconsistent brews. Too much coffee can be overpowering, while too little leaves your cup flat.
Fix: Use a digital scale to measure both coffee and water. A general rule is 1:15 to 1:17 ratio—that’s 1 gram of coffee for every 15–17 grams of water.
3. Ignoring Water Temperature
Water that’s too hot or too cool can ruin the flavor. Boiling water (100°C / 212°F) often scorches the grounds, while cool water under-extracts flavor.
Fix: Aim for 90–96°C (195–205°F). If you don’t have a thermometer, let boiling water sit for 30 seconds before pouring.
4. Rushing the Brew Time
Cutting the brew short or letting it go too long affects taste dramatically.
- Under-brewing often leads to sourness.
- Over-brewing causes bitterness.
Fix: Follow the recommended brew times for your method. Use a timer to stay consistent and experiment in small adjustments to dial in the flavor.
5. Skipping the Bloom Phase
In pour-over or manual methods, failing to allow coffee to “bloom” (release trapped CO₂) can lead to uneven extraction.
Fix: Pour a small amount of water to wet the grounds and wait 30–45 seconds before continuing. This allows the coffee to “breathe” and extract evenly.
6. Using Stale Beans
Old beans lose aroma and flavor. Many beginners use coffee long after its roast date, assuming it’s fine.
Fix: Buy fresh beans, ideally whole, and grind just before brewing. Use them within 2–3 weeks of the roast date.
7. Not Cleaning Your Equipment
Residue oils and old grounds can build up, affecting the taste of your coffee and even causing bitterness.
Fix: Rinse your tools after each use and do a deeper clean weekly. This includes grinders, filters, and brewing devices.
Final Thoughts
Making great coffee at home is all about attention to detail. By avoiding these common mistakes—and understanding how they impact your cup—you can improve your brew dramatically.
Small adjustments go a long way. With practice, precision, and a bit of patience, you’ll brew coffee like a pro, right from your kitchen.
